On the NBA: Ex-NBA player conducts free clinic in Philly

Ollie Johnson is still working to give back to the city that gave him his first break in basketball before he turned 20.

On Friday, the 64-year-old former NBA player from South Philadelphia was joined by former pros Paul Graham, Pat McFarland, Kenny Battle and Rich Rinaldi at Kensington's Rambler Recreation Center for a free youth basketball clinic.

The clinic, titled  Full Court Press: Prep for Success, used basketball as a platform to teach life skills to at-risk youths. The event was organized by the Police Athletic League, the NBA's Retired Players Association and the National Urban League.

Johnson said it's about "Philly Supporting Philly."

"I'm out here because I'm always out here," said the 6-foot-6 Johnson, who logged ten seasons in the NBA, two with the 76ers in the 1980s.

"It's about doing your part and doing what you think is right for kids and that next generation. I needed it. I was a good kid, and I needed it."

Johnson grew up near 19th and Carpenter Streets and attended Southern High, the Community College of Philadelphia and Temple.

He was the 30th overall pick in the 1972 NBA draft and was selected by the Portland Trailblazers, with whom he spent two seasons. He averaged 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest.

Though the veteran is still involved in grassroots projects, he thinks the state of Philadelphia basketball has deteriorated from his days in the 1970s and early 80s.

"It's different. Everything has changed," Johnson said. "AAU basketball has changed basketball, and charter schools and playing at different schools has changed the spirit of it. When I watch basketball, period, the fundamentals are not as important.

"A lot of it has been lost over the years, and some of it is our fault because we aren't out there teaching it how we should. Times change. Things change. It's more entertainment than the basketball I'm used to."

The way Johnson sees it, the game has always been a grind. Something, he says, is lacking now.

"Basketball is no different than being on a job," Johnson said. "Guys ask, 'How did you get your shot like that?' Well I tell them that I shot 400 to 500 shots a day. They won't do it. It's too hard. They think you take a pill or you were just born with it.

"It's about putting the work in and practicing. Always has been. Always will be."